I always wanted to be a spontaneous composer.

I was born swinging and clapped my hands in church as a little boy, but I've grown up and I like to do things other than just swing. But blues can do more than just swing.

I'm trying to play the truth of what I am. The reason it's difficult is because I'm changing all the time.

If you think this is weird, just look at yourselves.

Thelonius Monk went over to Bird and Bud Powell and said, 'I told you guys to act crazy, but I didn't tell you to fall in love with the act. You're really crazy now.'

Tastes are created by the business interests. How else can you explain the popularity of Al Hirt?

Anybody can make the simple complecated. Creativity is making the complecated simple.